Summer Music 2009

By Tom Lynch

June’s 5 Can’t Miss Shows

1 PJ Harvey and John Parish (Riviera Theatre)
Harvey and Parish collaborate once again following 1996’s “Dance Hall at Louse Point,” to chilling results. With “A Woman A Man Walked By,” the two songwriters find a haunting balance between ghostly folk and ragged rock, as Harvey’s vocals continue to send chills. It’s dark, it’s beautiful and it should produce a fantastic live show. (June 12)

2 The Field (Double Door)
The ambient techno crafted by Swedish musician Axel Willner, aka The Field, could soundtrack your trip to Saturn—the spacious electronics of 2007’s unbelievably great “From Here We Go Sublime” develops a Kompakt world within your head. Willner’s follow-up, titled “Yesterday and Today,” is a worthy progression on which the artist involves more vocals. The Juan Maclean plays as well. (June 16)
3 Nachtmystium (Empty Bottle)
Wheaton’s treacherous metal band has faced some unfortunate adversity as of late, fighting false accusations of being sympathetic to Nazi scenes and even having to cancel some dates because of it. Looking past that nonsense, the band’s 2008 release “Assassins: Black Meddle, Part 1” will blow your brain through your ass, as leader Blake Judd’s throat guides you into a hellish abyss. But don’t take my word for it: in May of last year, restaurant Kuma’s Corner named its special after the band. (June 27)

3 Bill Callahan (Bottom Lounge)
Indie-folk troubadour and former Smog man continues to prove himself as an essential figure in underground rock, as his second “solo” record, “Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle,” might be his best work since 1999’s unforgettable “Knock Knock.” Rootsy, lo-fi musical tomes, filled with intimate looks and heart gone dark, creates a sense of privacy and solemnity that perhaps only Callahan can produce. You feels as it it’s just you and him locked in a closet, and you’re prying the ache from him. (June 19)

4 Shellac (Bottom Lounge)
Two dates with Steve Albini, Bob Weston and Todd Trainer. Sheer enflamed zeal, delirious force. One of the best local acts you’ll ever see, making poetry out of noise. Yes, please. Again and again. (June 27-28)

July’s 5 Can’t Miss Shows

1 Pitchfork Music Festival (Union Park)
Friday night’s the most attractive this year, with “Write the Night” appearances by Tortoise, Yo La Tengo, Built to Spill and, most thrillingly, The Jesus Lizard. However, the rest of the weekend ain’t too bad either, with performances by The National, Fucked Up, Lindstrom, The Flaming Lips, Grizzly Bear, M83, The Walkmen, The Thermals, Frightened Rabbit and more. (July 17-19)

2 The Wrens (Schubas)
The indie-rock old-fogies haven’t released a new record since 2003’s “The Meadowlands,” but it says something about the power of that record—plus the band’s energetic live show—that fans keep coming out to witness all the mayhem. (July 24-25)

3 Harvey Milk, Torche (Empty Bottle)
The metal show of the summer for my money, featuring the fanatical doom of Miami-based Torche (whose “Meanderthal” is an ass-kicker) and the stoner-sludge of Athens band Harvey Milk, whose return last year produced “Life… The Best Game in Town,” one of the best records of 2008. (July 18)

4 Explosions in the Sky (Congress Theater)
The instrumental post-rock band continually offers outrageously loud, soul-shakingly beautiful live shows, and was last heard on record with 2007’s “All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone.” Amazing what you can achieve with a couple guitars, delay pedals and whole lot of distortion. (July 2)

5 Green Day (United Center)
If you can tolerate the beer-swiggin’ yuppies (and probably their kids) for which this is as punk as it gets and have never even heard of “Kerplunk,” Green Day is one of the top arena acts out there. (July 13)

August’s 5 Can’t Miss Shows

1 Pearl Jam (United Center)The best arena act out there, Eddie Vedder and crew announced a one-off at United Center that sold out so quickly the band felt obligated to add another show. Two of only three North American dates scheduled for 2009, these hometown shows—hometown for Vedder, who grew up in Evanston—should be something special, for fans obviously, but also for anyone who’s taken by dudes in their forties who can still bring it. (August 23-24)
2 Lykke Li (Bottom Lounge)
The Swedish songstress is on her way to becoming the next big star, mixing electropop with saccharine melodies and straightforward pop. As soon as mainstream radio notices, playing venues as small as Bottom Lounge will be a thing of the past for her, so take advantage now. (August 7)

3 Lollapalooza (Grant Park)
A weaker lineup than in previous years, this summer’s headliners include Depeche Mode, Tool, The Killers, Jane’s Addiction, Beastie Boys, Andrew Bird and Kings of Leon. However, any show with Lou Reed and Snoop Dogg on the bill is worth checking out. (August 7-9)
4 Exo, Absent Star (Schubas)
A night of rock ‘n’ roll tribute to Doug Meis, the late drummer of The Dials. (August 2)